A black iMac in 2006 is simply black and white
Posted by Dennis Sellers 
Nov 29, 2005 at 3:47am
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Needless to say—but I’ll say it anyway—the graphic accompanying this article is a Photoshop mock-up.—Dennis Sellers
The official verdict is in that black is the preferred consumer color for iPods, if you go by Amazon’s Black Friday’s statistics, that is. The online retail powerhouse reported that Apple’s black 2 GB nano ranked as the sixth best-selling electronic gadget, with Apple’s white nano coming in tenth on Amazon.com’s list of most popular items. Today’s report looks at what this could mean for 2006 and reintroduces Apple’s Chameleonic patent as it relates to this subject.
Expect a black iMac in 2006
I’m sure that an important trend such as this isn’t going unnoticed in Cupertino’s inner sanctum, which could easily translate into Apple introducing a black iMac option as early as 2006. Yes, it’s a fact that in the particular case of the iPod, the volume justifies providing consumers with a new color option, which may not apply to today’s iMac. However, as Apple begins to roll out their Intel based iMacs in 2006, they’ll be appealing to much larger audience that could very well justify Apple’s provision of a black iMac option.
In fact, every consumer that voted for Apple’s black iPod this holiday season, including “switchers,” will certainly be hoping to see a black iMac option unfold next year, this author included. It seems like pretty simple logic here folks, wouldn’t you agree? Yes, of course.
Minimal risk
I don’t know of a single company that doesn’t dread “inventory-hang.” Bankers and especially Wall Street don’t take kindly to inventory that has to be sold off in drastic next quarter retail sales, that affect a companies ability to introduce new products profitably. Apple has done an extraordinary job at keeping “inventory-hang” to an absolute minimum, and that will likely be the case once again this quarter.
While there could be a minor risk associated with introducing a black iMac option in 2006, it would be nothing compared to Apple’s original launching of the iMac in a wide array of colors. Therefore the risk is limited and shouldn’t hamper Apple’s decision to offer a cool new black Intel based iMac this coming year.
Apple’s chameleonic option
Within Apple’s secret arsenal, lies a little and often forgotten hardware technology, that is simply referred to as “Chameleonic.” Apple’s 2004 patent revealed many strategic advantages that this technology will provide them with over the coming years.
Being that today’s report is limited to the topics of consumer color options for digital devices and inventory issues, I’ll restrict my references to the Chameleonic patent, for the time being, to the subject at hand.
Apple’s patent point number 87 states that “the word “chameleonic” refers to the fact that the electronic device has the ability to alter its visual appearance.” The patent presents its first simplistic example in patent point number 89, as follows:
“The chameleonic electronic device is configured to change its visual appearance via light. That is, the housing is configured to allow the passage of light and the light system is configured to produce light for transmission through the housing. In one embodiment, the light system includes a light arrangement (not shown). The light arrangement, which is disposed inside the housing - and which includes at least one light source - is configured to emit light incident on the inner surface of the housing. As should be appreciated, light hat is transmitted through the wall of the housing changes the look of the housing and thus the visual appearance of the chameleonic electronic device. By way of example, the light may cause the housing to exude a specific brightness such as intense or dull light, a specific color such as green, red or blue, a specific pattern such as a rainbow or dots, or a changing behavior such as a strobe effect or fading in/out.”
The time is fast approaching where Apple will be able to introduce the Chameleonic iMac, iPod or any other future in-home and/or mobile digital devices - providing consumers with an almost limitless array of color options for their hardware, while completely eliminating dreaded inventory-hang for Apple and their retail partners. Apple’s use of advanced LED technology will introduce “color on-demand” for consumers: A feature that will have a lot of consumer appeal, especially as Apple moves further into our living rooms in the not too distant future.
For now, it’s black and white
Apple’s Chameleonic patent application will over time translate into many strategically important applications for the future. But in context with today’s report, the basic functionality of providing consumers with a wide array of color options for future iMacs and other devices was worth revisiting. It may or may not pan out for 2006, as Apple’s transition to Intel is enough to deal with this coming year. Yet stranger things have been known to happen.
It could be that Apple is engineering Chameleonic capabilities into their next OS dubbed “Leopard,” for 2007 - But only time will tell. For next year however, I think that Apple will rely on this quarter’s inventory statistics to justify introducing a simple iMac in black option. That’s simply black and white, to me.
Al Says:
Nice graphic Dennis. I would definitely like that option.
Posted on November 29, 2005
Wendy Says:
The guys like black, but I don’t. So if Apple could ever use that chameleon technology, it would solve the color issue of being limited. I think that the original iMac color marketing was great, but did cause a problem with inventory which likely gave birth to using LED as a means of solving the color option being revived. With only one computer in our home, the idea that everyone could change the color of the hardware tied to our preferences is natural. We have car seats that auto adjust to both my husband and I, and this is similar thinking really.
Posted on November 29, 2005
Leo Says:
Count me in. Black all the way!
Posted on November 29, 2005
Frank Petrie Says:
What!?! No Dalmation iMac G5!!! :-)
Posted on November 29, 2005
drdreric Says:
Well colors wouldn’t be too hard, graphics tougher, but black via the chameleonic tech? I dunno, unless we see an Apple patent for an electricity-generating, light-sucking “black LED”. ;)
I think black will always be an inventory issue. Wouldn’t “skins” (like at http://www.macskinz.com/ ) be simpler?
Posted on November 29, 2005
Rice Says:
drdreric, I don’t think that black is part of the chameleonic presentation that was made. That aspect was for additional color choices and/or graphics in the future for iMac. For now, the Black iMac is just like that of the iPod which is likely the point here. And yaaaa, I’d like a black iMac next year, way more than white. Wouldn’t mind a new type of keyboard while they’re at it.
That was funny Frank. Yuck to dalmation. But hey, even kids may have that choice with chameleon, especially if the Apple/Disney relationship continues.
Posted on November 29, 2005
ken2 Says:
The black iPod showed that adding another color is a simple way to generate excitement in the market and I would not be surprised to see Apple add a black iMac - and maybe a black iBook as well before the back-to-school buying season starts. Inventory control is a huge factor for Apple, but since this change would only be related to external parts it can be controlled. I don’t see it as a huge gamble for Apple and it will target the switchers who have the black iPod.
Posted on November 29, 2005
Poster Says:
Eeh. It’s funny. I design websites primarily in black, wear black t-shirts like breathing, and even I wouldn’t want a black iMac. Will Apple do it? No doubt. Am I waiting for the Chameleon interface? Yes. I would love to be able to set the color of my computer according to my mood. That owns.
Posted on November 29, 2005
Benton Says:
Would fewer ipods sell if white was the only color? Probably not. The demise of colored mini ipods did not result in slower sales. Why/who would not buy the prosumer white imac? Does black really enhance the decor of enterprise cubes? White suggests a clean and fresh environment like a meticulously sanitized environment, clean room. We welcome switchers and black conveys the vestiges of their former Dark Side! I am trying to think what is best for Apple’s bottom line.
Posted on November 29, 2005
Ray Says:
Benton, you’re reading to much science fiction: “We welcome switchers and black conveys the vestiges of their former Dark Side! I am trying to think what is best for Apple’s bottom line.”
I take it that if Apple’s decision to add a black iPod was rational and was in part based on the success of the U2 model, I don’t think that Apple was thinking much about the “dark side.” The logic behind your comment is interesting to say the least. NOT!
Posted on November 29, 2005
Sprocket999 Says:
Although the glossy black items look very slick, I am very partial to aluminium. My G4 PowerBook, iPod Mini, my camera, my Somy-Ericsson cell phone . . . the list goes on. To each his own, though.
Posted on November 29, 2005
Randy Says:
In a way, I’m with sproket for aluminum, but the consumer trend with apple doesn’t seem to be going that way. So, black would be my next choice over white, any day.
On Chameleon, I think it has more place with the enterprise or females trying to, well, coordinate the home. Women have a short circuit when it comes to colors. Then again, maybe it’s us guys who love bland.
Posted on November 29, 2005
Norm5 Says:
Most peripherals are black or beige. Yo, no beige iMac please. But I do own a black nano and wouldn’t mind a black iMac with Intel next year.
Posted on November 29, 2005
Extensor Says:
What would be cool is if the Chameleon effects could be control by our apps. For example, imagine flying a plane on your computer. You hit some clouds and your case also turns blue and white, animated would be even better. You fly up into space and your case gets darker and darker. You get the idea. :D
Posted on November 30, 2005
Neo Says:
Extensor, you actually described an aspect of the patent to perfection.
The two examples in the patent cover a game and a movie whereby the enclosure of the device will take on the environment of the entertainment being viewed.
As they say at fairs, “Step right up, we have ourselves a winner!” Way to go Extensor.
Posted on November 30, 2005
Dylan Says:
I think Black ipods are selling well because we’re getting tired of seeing the white ones. It’s been, what, 5 years, without a change in design. I mean nothing against the design, it’s very nice, but now that everybody has one it’s no longer the cool unique item it used to be.
ha - the word I have to type in below just happens to be “white”.
Posted on December 20, 2005
mai Says:
why not just go to colorwarepc.com? there’s a choice of 22 different colors for iMac, iBook, iPod, and PowerBook.
but it might be nice, admittedly, to have the color-shift option, too. until then, Color Ware is fine by me.
Posted on December 20, 2005
noone Says:
That patent is for the lit keyboards being used in powerbooks, IMHO. I would, however, buy a black intelcpu ibook though :)
Posted on December 20, 2005
veeto Says:
Not sure about the patent applying to keyboards, but it does kinda sound like the pulsating light on the iMac when its “sleeping”.
Posted on December 20, 2005
strickland Says:
Extensor has the idea. It sounds like a pretty involved technology . . . just to change some colors. It seems like apple is planning on making the iMac show some emotion of its own.
Posted on December 20, 2005
Eric Says:
That is a fake pitchur and was used buy photo shop
Posted on December 20, 2005
Aaron Says:
Although black looks nice, I think apple has a unique style with the white iMac’s. I hope I dont see a black iMac
Posted on December 22, 2005
Sixhoursago Says:
Eric -
Are you sure?
Posted on December 27, 2005
Knut Erik Says:
It would be nice to use a black iMac! My two year old PC (white) looks like fart , and me black Powerbook G3, still looks great, to this day!
Quit smoking?! Never! I would prefer a brownish-yellow iMac!
Posted on January 23, 2006
Titan VM Says:
I am ready to buy a black iMac w/Intel Core Duo as soon as it comes out!!! (ASAP I hope.)
Posted on February 13, 2006
Super Max Says:
Apple is totally missing out by not producing a black iMac. Heck, they can even charge $100 more and I’d still buy it! Peace!
Posted on March 15, 2006
Jack'd Says:
As if the sales numbers of the black iPod mean anything, I think that the new Apple iMac with the intel core duo processor should also come in black! I agree with the guy above me...they can charge a hundred bucks more and I too think that they’d still sell!!! Come on Apple; It’s not a hard decision. MAKE A BLACK IMAC!!!
Posted on March 15, 2006
divaxgirl Says:
i wouldn’t be surprised at the new type of imac, but apple co. like sell their stuff for too much and i don’t think that’s right =[. it’s not fair that a small nano cost like over 200 dollars but i heard rumors that apple company can’t produce anymore tech stuff…
Posted on March 21, 2006
2nd Sprung Says:
Is there any factual evidence that points towards a new color intel core duo iMac? Black would be awesome just like the iPod. Do any Apple Big-Wigs even hear our pleads?
Posted on April 09, 2006
T. Bagwell Says:
I have a black iPod and just purchased the new black MacBook and I would complete the trilogy with the introduction of a 17 or 20 inch black iMac with the intel core duo chip. I don’t know why Apple hasn’t added that to their lineup. Just look at the sales of all their black products...obviously more popular than the white.
Posted on May 19, 2006
Wags Says:
This is a perfect example of why I hesitate to buy another Mac. I wish Apple would use their talent to develop a computer that actually does something new, instead of wasting it on how it looks. The Mac is cool, don’t get me wrong. But when I need to get something done, I go back to the PC. If Apple wants Mac to contend, they need to focus on usefulness, not color.
Posted on May 22, 2006
Dburney Says:
New? How new? What about iWeb, iPhoto, iWork, etc. I get everything done on my mac. And now if you absolutely have to have that one PC app you can do that too via BootCamp/Parallels. It’s strange that most industries that rely on a Mac workflow use it to “get something done.” Instead of messing with the IT and ownership costs of a PC counterpart. Ah well.
I’m in the market suddenly for a new mac and I know that as soon as I get my shiny new iMac unboxed the Black iMac will be announced.
Posted on May 23, 2006
Matt Says:
So taking into consideration the fact that there are tonnes of “skins” out there and I’m sure that there will be skins out there for the imac of not already. Wouldn’t it just be better for Apple to keep on with white? THink about it… they produce these amazing computers, pump them out, keep their “inventory hang” to a maximum low as they are now, and jsut let their consumers pick up these skins? So at least they know that they won’t have this inventory, hang when/if they release the Black, of white ones? If it were me running apple, I’d be working hard on the Chameleon tech. while enhancing speed and quality/capabilities of the imac and not worry about the black. That is the consumer’s problem.
Posted on June 19, 2006
Principal Skinner Says:
Skins ####. The casing for the current iMac is exquisite. If it was covered by a skin it would detract from the sleek look. Painting the case is just the same. I want a black iMac that is fresh from the factory. No gimmicks! PEACE!
Posted on July 22, 2006
WB Says:
Macbook - blac and white - comsumer
Mac Pro - silver - pro
Macbook Pro - silver - pro
(Mac Mini - silver and white - consumer)
iMac - white - consumer
Spple loves order, two notebooks, three desktops like a pyramid, Mac pro and Macbook pro share a name and color, Macbook and Macbook pro share a name, etc. Color is one of the biggest factors in Apple order, so if the Macbook is the iMac in notebook form, shouldn’t they both have the same color and material, just as the Mac pro and Macbook pro do?
Posted on August 20, 2006
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Dennis Sellers
Dennis has been a newspaper editor/reporter (seven years) and teacher (seven years). He has over 4,000 magazine, newspaper and online articles to his credit. He has also covered the Mac and tech industries for over a decade for such online publications as MacCentral, MacMinute and now MacsimumNews.
Cats Says:
For years people have wanted a black iMac and I’ve seen some pretty cool customized black iMacs out of Japan a few years back and have wanted that for years myself. So you’re right. If the black iPod is flying off the shelf, I do think that we’ll see a black iMac in 2006.
Posted on November 29, 2005